Spring biased valve with lock



May 22, 1956 Filed Sept. 26, 1952 C. C. HARRIS SPRING BIASED VALVE WITHLOCK INVENTO'R Carl C Her/"21$ BY W ATTORNE Y5 United States PatentSPRING nrnsnn VALVE wrrn Loon Carl C. Harris, Orange, Mass, assignor toThe Rivet-- Manufacturing Company, Grange, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Application September 26, 1952, Serial No. 311,740

24 Claims. (Cl. 15-138) This invention relates to dispensers for thedispersing of fluids, including the volatile cleaning fluids, perfumes,and the like and particularly to a valve for such dispensers which willkeep the valve positively closed, when not in use, thereby preventingloss of the fluid due to evaporation or other causes.

Dispensers theretofore known such as those disclosed by Evans, U. S.Patent No. 1,904,041 and Lupo, U. S. Patent No. 1,941,751, have hadcertain inherent defects. In each of these devices, the valve may beinadvertently opened or not firmly closed so that leakage of the liquidis possible. Further, in both Evans and Lupo, evaporation is inevitablesince the valve is held closed by a spring which biases the valveagainst the seat. Such an arrangement is unsatisfactory, since it wouldbe necessary, in order to assure perfect sealing, to have a spring ofimpractical strength.

Many efforts have been made to overcome these objections, one sucheffort being illustrated in Lurz Patent No. 2,575,180. The Lurzconstruction however introduces other objections, the chief of which arethe large number of small, interfitting internal parts required and thefact that the Lurz valve requires a special form of container and is notadaptable for use with conventional bottles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a manually operabledispensing valve which may be locked against accidental operation orleakage.

Another object is to provide, a simple, efiicient, inexpensive lockabledispensing valve especially suitable for dispensing volatile liquids.

A still further object is to provide a valve having a locking mechanismwhich will not affect or decrease the flow past the valve when the valveis open.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a unitary, lockabledispensing valve, easily attachable to a bottle or container.

Another object is to provide a fluid dispensing device with a positivevalve lock to prevent loss of fluid due to inadvertent actuation of thevalve.

An additional object is to provide a dispensing device with a positivevalve lock whereby the valve is held against its seat in positivesealing contact thereby preventing evaporation of the fluid to bedispensed.

These and other objects and advantages reside in novel features ofconstruction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafterbe more fully set forth and pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the dispenserhaving a dispersing brush and mounted on a fluid container;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the dispensershown in Figure 1 showing the details of the valve and lockingmechanism.

Figure 3 is a front view of a modified form of dispenser;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along 2,746,073 PatentedWhy 22, 1956 the line 44 of Figure 3 showing the details of the modifiedvalve and locking mechanism;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a further modified form of dispensershowing the valve in unlocked position;

Figure 6 is an elevational view similar to that shown in Figure 5, butwith the valve in a locked position;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of thenovel valve and lock mechanism as applied to a perfume bottle or thelike;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further modification ofthe novel lockable valve shown mounted on a plastic fluid container;

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further embodiment of thenovel lockable valve as applied to a brush applicator.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 29-generally designates a dispensing assembly comprising a container 22having a threaded neck 24 to which a cap 26 having a knurled portion 28is secured. The cap 26 has a hollow projecting member 30 with a centralpassage 32 which communicates with container 22, the hollow member 30terminating in a head generally designated 34. v

A bore 44 extends through the head 34 beyond th end of the passage 32and on one side of the head 34, a cup-shaped extension or housing 36surrounds the bore 44. The extension or housing is internally threadedas indicated at 42 and has a flat bottom 48 surrounding the bore 44. Avalve seat 45, which may be recessed as at 48, surrounds the bore 44,and a small passage 50 connects the passage 32 with the valve seat 46.

An annular nut 52 having a central opening 58, a threaded portion 56 anda knurled flange 54 is threaded in the extension or housing 36. Adjacentthe bottom 40 of the extension 36, the nut 52 has an inwardly projectingflange having a smaller central opening 69. The shoulder 62 connectingthe openings 58 and 69 is preferably inclined.

An actuator 64 having a threaded recess 66 and spring seat 68 isdisposed within the opening 53 of the nut 52. A valve stem '70 isslidably mounted in guide bore 44 and is secured at one end to theactuator 64 by means of threads 72 and 66. A valve closure member 74 issecured on the opposite end of the stem 70 and bears against the valveseat 46 within the recess 48 to close the passage 50, the valve 74 beingsmaller than the recess 48. A screw driver slot 76 in the outer face '78of the valve 74 facilitates assembly of the valve stem and actuator.

A suitable washer 80 may be provided to insure sealing of the outletduct 50 by the valve '74. A spring 82 between the spring seat 68 of theactuator 64 and the bottom 40 of the extension 36 biases the actuator 64away from the bottom 40 thereby urging the valve 74 toward the valveseat 46. i

A dispenser support generally designated at 84 extends from the bodymember 30 and head 34- and comprises an elongated base 86 slightly widerthan the valve seat 46. A continuous flange 88 extends outward from theperiphery of the base 36 and has an internal shoulder 90, tofrictionally hold the body 91 of a brush 92. The shoulder 90 is spacedfrom the valve 74 to permit unrestricted movement of the valve. The body91 is perforated so that when the valve 74 is open, liquid from thepassage 50 can pass through the body 91 and wet the bristles 92. i

A slot 94 is provided in the flange to receive a protruding lug 96 ofthe body 90. The lug is'provided in order to facilitate removal of theholding element when the brush 92 has become worn or damaged therebynecessitating replacement.

In operation, the valve 74 is normally closed by the spring 82 and fluidwithin the passage 32 is prevented from passing through the outlet duct56 to the brush 92. When it is desired to release the fluid to thebrush, the actuator 64 is depressed and the valve stem 76 slides in theguide bore 44 moving the valve 74 away from the valve seat andpermitting flizid to pass from the bore 32 through the passage and ontothe brush where it is then dispersed over the article to which the fluidis to be applied.

In order to prevent inadvertent actuation of the valve or leakage orevaporation of the fluid, the valve of the present invention may besecurely locked in a closed position. In order to lock the valve the nut52 is threaded out of the housing or body 36 toward the actuator 64until the inclined shoulder portion 62 abuts the bottom of the actuator.Further threading of the nut will draw the valve 74 firmly against thevalve seat 46 compressing the washer 86 thereby insuring a tight sealand thus preventing loss or evaporation of the fluid.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown a modification whereinthe numeral 98 designates a slot extending radially outwardly from therecess 45. An element 1% is secured in the slot 76 of valve 74 and has aportion forming a key 162 which extends into the slot 1% and preventsrotation of the valve 74 without interfering with movement toward andfrom the valve seat 46. In the modification shown in Figure 3 theextension 36 has a smooth internal bore 38 in which the actuator 64 hasa sliding fit. For ease of operation, the actuator 64 may be providedextensions or wings, having shoulders 106. The valve 74 is held againstrotation by the lug 1G2 engaging the slot 98 so that rotation ofactuator 64 by wings 164 will draw the valve 74 and actuator together;Turning of the wings 164 causes the shoulders 106 to abut the top of theextension 36 and further turning will draw the valve 74 toward the valveseat 46 thereby compressing the washer and effectively sealing OK theoutlet duct. To open the valve the actuator 64 is backed-off until theshoulders 106 are clear of the top of housing 36 as shown in Figure 3.Downward pressure on the actuator 64 will then move the stem 76 downwardand consequently the valve 74 will move away from the seat permittingfluid to flow from bore 32, through outlet passage 50 and on to a brush92, as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a further modificationwherein 198 indicates a pair of cam surfaces formed on the upper surfaceof housing 36 in a spiral path from low points 116 to high points 112.The highpoints and low points of the respective cams are 180 degreesapart. The actuator 114 has a smooth cylindrical portion 116 which isslidable within extension 36, and a knurled head 11% of larger diameterthan the cylindrical portion 116 so that there is a shoulder 12i)overhanging the cylindrical portion 116. A pair of followers 122, 180degrees apart, are formed on the shoulder 12% and engage the camsurfaces 108. With the followers 122 directly over the low points of theearns, the actuator 114 can be depressed inwardly compressing a spring82 (not shown but similar to that in Figures 2, 3 and 4), and therebyopening a valve 74 (as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4). Rotation of theactuator 180 degrees will result in the followers 122 traveling alongthe spiral cam path 1 3% toward the high points 112 and outwardly fromthe housing 36 until the valve 74 (not shown) is drawn tightly againstthe sealing member 86 and valve seat 46. When the valve 74 is firmlyseated the valve is eflectively locked in position by virtue of thewedging action of the inclined cam surfaces 108 on the followers 122.Simply rotating the actuator 114 in the opposite direction 180 degreeswill immediately put the device in condition for dispensing a fluid fromwithin the body member 36.

Referring now to Figure 7 there is shown a further embodiment of theinvention particularly adapted for attachment to the neck of a fluidcontainer for dispensing perfumes, lotions, and the like. Numeral 126designates a fluid container such as a perfume bottle, having threadedneck 123. A cylindrical body 130 is provided with a pair of oppositelyextending threaded bores 132 and 134 separated by an intermediate wallportion 136. The bore 132 is particularly adapted for engagement withthreads 128 at the neck of bottle 126. A centrally disposed bore 138 inwall 136 interconnects bores 132 and 134 and provides a through passagefor a valve stem 14% having a head 142 at one end which serves as avalve closure member. The diameter of bore 138 is relatively larger thanthe diameter of valve stem 144 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed. A nut 144 having a knurled shoulder portion 146 is providedwith an externally threaded barrel portion 148 for threaded engagementwith bore 134. Nut 144 is also provided with a pair of concentric bores150 and 152 interconnected by a sloping shoulder portion 154. Valvestern extends through the bore and into bore 152, the diameters of whichare considerably larger than the diameter of the valve stem. A coilspring 156 loosely fits over valve stem 140 and also loosely tits withinthe bore 150 and has an end in bearing engagement with face 153 of wall136. An actuating button 161) loosely flts within bore 152 and isprovided with a threaded bore 162 for threadedly engaging threaded end164 of valve stem 140. The button is also provided with an annularrecess 166, concentric with and considerably larger than the diameter ofbore 162, which receives the opposite end of spring 156. The button isthreaded on the stem sufficiently to compress the spring and therebycreate a biasing force in the spring tending to force, the buttonoutwardly which consequently draws valve closure member 142 against theface 168 of wall 136 thereby shutting off bore 138. Resilient gasket171'; is located between valve closure member 142 and face 168 to assurecomplete closure of bore 138 to prevent ieakage of the fluid out of thecontainer. It may be preferable to have the gasket extend over and besecured to the entire face 168 to form a seal between the bottle andface 168 as well as a seal for the valve head 142.

As previously pointed out bores 138 and 156 are relatively larger thanthe diameter of the valve stem 140, and bore 152 is relatively largerthan the diameter of button 160, as a result there are clearancepassages 172 between stem 14%) and bore 138, 174 between stem 149 andbore 150, and 176 between button and bore 152, the purpose of which willbe readily seen from the following description of operation.

As shown in Figure 7 the valve is ina closed but unlocked position. Ifit is desired to apply perfume or lotion to a surface, for example thehand, the container is tipped unside down so that smooth surface 178 of.button 160 is in contact with the surface of the hand. A slight inwardpressure of the container against the hand will cause button 160 to bemoved inwardly which in turn will cause valve closure member 142 to moveinwardly away from face 168. The liquid in the container will then flowdownwardly through passages 172, 174 and 176 and onto the hand where itcan be dispersed or spread by a rubbing action of smooth surface 178over the hand.

When the unit is to be stored or carried in a pocketbook or pocket, thevalve is locked to prevent inadvertent actuation of the valve or leakageor evaporation of the fluid. This is accomplished by outwardly threadingnut 144 until sloping shoulders 154 contact the end of push button 161).Further outward threading of the nut will put an outward force on thebutton which will in turn draw the closure member 142 tightly againstsurface 168 causing the resilient seal to be tightly compressed betweenclosure member 142 and face 168 thereby closing off bore 138 and forminga fluid tight seal therearound.

One of the principal advantages of the modification shown in Figure 7 isthat the valve may be used on standard screw-cap bottles for dispensingcleaning fluid, perfume, hair dressing lotions and like liquids.

Referring now to Figure 8 there is shown still a further embodiment ofthe invention. Numeral 180 designates a fluid container, which may be ofa resilient plastic material, for after shave lotion or the like, havinga threaded neck 182. Cylindrical body 184 is provided with a pair ofoppositely extending threaded bores 186 and 188 separated by anintermediate wall portion 191) which is provided with aperture 192connecting bores 186 and 188. Bore 186 is particularly adapted forengagement' with threads 182 at the neck of the bottle 189. Gasket 194is interposed between the top of the neck of the bottle and the adjacentface of wall 190 to form a tight fluid seal therebetween.

A combined actuator and dispenser generally designated 196 comprises athreaded body portion 198 threadedly received in bore 188 and inintegral shank 200 slidably received in aperture 192. A central bore 202extends through the threaded body and shank and is threaded at its innerend for receiving closure member 204. Gasket 266 is mounted on the outerperiphery of the shank for sealing purposes to be hereinafter described.A pair of apertures 208 connect bore 202 with the exterior of shank 200.

In operation, the dispense fluid the device is in the conditionillustrated in Figure 8. The container is tipped upside down and shaken,or if used with a plastic bottle the bottle is squeezed. Fluid in thecontainer will pass through apertures 208 into bore 202 from whicn itwill flow to the surface to which fluid is to be applied. To close thedispensing unit the body 198 is threadedly moved outwardly to moveapertures 2t38 above intermediate wall 190, at the same time closuremember 294 is moved against the inner face of intermediate wall 190 tocompress gasket 205 therebetween forming a leak-proof seal preventingfluid in the container to pass to bore 292.

Referring to Figure 9 there is illustrated a brush applicator similar tothat illustrated in Figure 2, similar parts being indicated by the samenumerals. The valve, which is a further modification, comprises anactuator 219 threadedly received in housing 36 and provided with athreaded blind hole 212 for receiving the threaded end of stem 214slidably mounted 'in bore 44. The opposite end of stem 214 is providedwith an integral closure member 216 which is received in recess 48adjacent passage 50. Gasket 218 is mounted on stem 214 in contact withthe adjacent face of closure member 216.

As illustrated in Figure 9 the valve is open to permit fluid to flowfrom passage 32 through passage 59 to a brush (not shown) mounted inflange 88. To close the valve and seal the passage 50 actuator 210 isthreaded outwardly until gasket 218 is firmly compressed between thebottom of recess 48 and closure member 216 thus positively preventingany leakage of fluid through passage 50.

It has been found, in practice, that lockable valve and dispersing meansas described in the foregoing provide a practical solution to thehitherto unanswered problem of providing a simple, effective and safedispenser for volatile. fluids such as cleaning fluids and perfumeswhile preventing loss or evaporation of the fluids when the dispenser isnot in use.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims aretherefore intended 'to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A unitary valve mechanism comprising a body having two open endedportions, a partition separating said portions, a passage formed in saidpartition, a closure member on one side of said partition movable toseat against said partition and thereby cover said passage, an actuatoron the opposite side of said partition, means interconnecting theclosure member and the actuator, resilient means between the partitionand the actuator to bias said actuator and closure member to a passageclosing position, and locking means on said actuator operativelyengaging said body and said actuator to positively force said closuremember to its closed position.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1' wherein the looking meanscomprises a cam extending outwardly from one side of the body adjacentthe actuator, means movably carried by said body and operativelyinterconnecting said cam and said actuator to positively force theclosure member to its closed position.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lockmeans comprises acam on the body having an inclined surface extending outwardly from oneside of the body adjacent the actuator, a follower secured to theactuator in alignment with the cam, means for moving said actuator tocause the follower to engage the inclined surface of the cam, saidactuator being free to move to open or close the closure member whensaid follower is in a1inement with the low point of the cam surface;said follower and cam serving to positively force the closure member toits closed position when said following ongages the high point of thecam surface.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking meanscomprises a cam on the body having a surface extending outwardly from aside thereof in a continuous spiral path from a minimum to a maximumposition and adjacent to and extending around the actuator, a followersecured to the actuator in alinement with the cam surface, said actuatorbeing rotatable with respect to sail cam surface to selectively positionthe follower in confronting relation with the minimum and maximumposition of the cam surface, the follower being spaced from the camsurface when thte portions confront the minimum portion of the camsurface to permit said actuator to be moved in said one direction toopen the closure member, and said follower being in contactingengagement with the cam surface when said portions confront to maximumportion of the cam surface to positively force the closure member to itsclosed position.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking elementcomprises a surface on a side of the body, abutments formed on theactuator and in opposed relation to said surface, means limitingmovement of the connecting means and closure member to a direction foropening and closing of the closure member, said actuator beingadjustably mounted on said connecting means to alternately engage saidabutments with said surface to positively force said closure member toits closed position, and to space said abutrnents from said surface topermit movement of said actuator in said one direction to open saidclosure member.

' 6. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locldng elementcomprises a surface on said side of the body in a plane transverse tothe direction of movement of the closure member, abutrnents secured tothe actuator in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of theclosure member and in opposed relation to said surface, means tomaintain said connecting means and closure member in non-rotativerelation with respect to the body, said actuator being rotativelyadjustable with respect to said connecting means for separate movementof said actuator in said one direction to engage said abutments withsaid surface and force to closure member to its biased position, and insaid opposite direction to space said abutments and surface and permitunitary movement of said actuator and closure member in said onedirection to open said closure member.

7. A dispersing device comprising a body having two open ended portionsand a partition separating said portions, a hollow member for containinga fluid connected to said body, a passage in said partition connectingone open ended portion to said hollow member to permit fluid to flow outof the hollow member, a closure member mounted on said body in said oneopen en tion adjacent to and movable toward aw said passage opening insaid one open ended portion to open and close said passage, an actuatorfor said closure member extending outwardly from the other open endedportion of the body and accessible for operation from the exterior ofthe body, means operatively connecting the closure member and actuatorfor unitary movement in one direction to open the closure member and inthe opposite direction to close the closure member, resilient meansengaging said other side of said partition and the actuator for biasingthe closure member in said opposite direction, dispersing means,supporting means mounted on said body and hollow member and extendingoutwardly therefrom for holding the dispersing means in close proximityto the closure means to receive fluid from the hollow member when saidclosure means is in open position, and a locking element selectivelywith said body and said actuator to positively force said closure memberto its closed position.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the locking elementcomprises cam surfaces formed on the body and extending outwardly from aside thereof from a minimum to a maximum position and coextensive withthe actuator, follower means secured to the actuator and having portionsin confronting relation with the cam surfaces, the confronting portionsof said follower being selectively engageable with the maximum positionof the cam surfaces to positively force the closure member to its closedposition.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the dispersing meanscomprises a back having openings therein, bristles secured to said backand extending outwardly therefrom, said back being mounted in thesupporting means with the side of the back remote from the bristles inclose proximity to the closure member so that fluid flowing past theclosure member when the closure member is open will pass through theopenings of the back and on to the bristles.

10. The .device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said locking elementcomprises a surface on a side of the body, abutments formed on theactuator and in opposed relation to said surface, means to limitmovement of the connecting means and closure member in a direction foropening and closing of the closure member, said actuator beingadjustably mounted on said connecting means to alternately engage saidabutments with said surface to positively force said closure member toits closed position, and to space said abutments from said surface topermit movement in said one direction to open said closure member.

11. A unitary valve mechanism comprising a body having a passage, aclosure member mounted on said body adjacent to and movable toward andaway from said passage to open and close said passage, an actuatormovably mounted on said body and extending outwardly from a side of thebody and accessible for operation from the exterior of said body, meansoperatively connecting the closure member and actuator for unitarymovement to open and close the passage, resilient means biasing saidactuator and closure member to passage closing position, and lockingmeans within said body operatively engaging said body and said actuatorto positively force said closure member to its closed position.

12. A unitary valve mechanism comprising a hollow body having anintermediate wall within said body, a

passage in said wall interconnecting opposite sides of said wall topermit a fluid to pass from one side to the other of said wall, aclosure member mountedon said body adjacent to and movable toward andaway from said passage to open and close said passage, an actuatormovably mounted on said body and extending outwardly from a side of thebody and accessible for operation from the exterior of said body, meansoperatively conmeeting the closure member and actuator for unitarymovement to open and close the passage, resilient means biasing saidactuator and closure member to passage closing position, and lockingmeans within said body operatively engaging said body and said actuatorto positively force said closure member to its closed position.

13. A dispersing device comprising a body, a hollow member forcontaining a fluid connected to said body, a-

passage connecting said hollow member to a side of the body to permitfluid to flow out of the hollow member, a closure member mounted on saidbody adjacent to and movable toward and away from said passage to openand close said passage, an actuator for said closure member extendingoutwardly from a side of the body and accessible for operation of theexterior of the body, means operatively connecting the closure memberand actuator for unitary movement in one direction to open the closuremember and in the opposite direction to close the closure member,resilient means biasing the closure member in said opposite direction,dispersing means, supporting means mounted on said body and hollowmember and extending outwardly therefrom for holding the dispersingmeans in close proximity to the closure means to receive fluid from thehollow member when said closure means is in open position, and a lockingmeans selectively engageable with said body and said actuator, saidlocking means comprising a face portion on said actuator extendingsubstantially transverse to the direction of movement of the closuremember, a member mounted within said body and having a portionsubstantially transverse to the direction of movement of the closuremember and in confronting relation with said face portion, said memberbeing adjustable with respect to said body in said one direction tospace said portion from the face portion to permit movement of saidactuator in said one direction to open the closure member, and saidmember being adjustable in said opposite direction to engage saidportion with said face portion to positively force said closure memberto its closed position.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking meanscomprises a cylindrical member within said body and coacting spiralsurfaces on the exterior of said member and the interior of said body toenable said member to be adjustable with respect to said body.

15. The device as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking meanscomprises a face portion on said actuator extending substantiallytransverse to the direction of movement of the closure member, a membermounted within said body and having a portion substantially transverseto the direction of movement of the closure member and in confrontingrelation with said face portion, said member being adjustable withrespect to said body in said one direction to space said portion fromthe face portion to permit movement of said actuator in said onedirection to open the closure member, and said member being adjustablein said opposite direction to engage said face portion to positivelyforce said closure member to its closed position.

16. A unitary valve mechanism comprising a body having two open endedportions, a partition separating said portions, an aperture formed insaid partition and constituting a passage from one end of the body tothe other end, a closure member on one side of said partition, anactuator on the opposite side of said partition, means interconnectingthe closure member and the actuator and passing through said aperture,the sizes of the interconnecting means and the aperture being such as toallow a substantial clearance therebetween, resilient means between thepartition and the actuator to bias said actuator and closure to apassage closing position, and locking means Within said body operativelyengaging said body and said actuator to positively force said closuremember to its closed position.

17. The device as set forth in claim 16 wherein the locking meanscomprises a cylindrical member within said body and coacting spiralsurfaces on the exterior of said member and the interior of said body toenable said member to be adjustable with respect to said body.

18. The device as set forth in claim 16 wherein the locking meanscomprises a face portion on said actuator extending substantiallytransverse to the direction of movement of the closure member, a membermounted within said body and having a portion substantially transverseto the direction of movement of the closure member and in confrontingrelation with said face portion, said member being adjustable withrespect to said body in said one direction to space said portion fromthe face portion to permit movement of said actuator in said onedirection to open the closure member, and said member being adjustablein said opposite direction to engage said face portion to positivelyforce said closure member to its closed position.

19. A valve mechanism comprising a body having a passage, a valve forclosing said passage, a valve stem secured to said valve and extendingthrough said body, spring means operatively connected to said valve stemand said body for biasing said valve stem to passage closing position, asleeve carried by said body and surrounding said stem on the side ofsaid body opposite said valve, threads on the end of said valve stemopposite said valve, an actuator for said valve stem having a portionrotatable and slidable within said sleeve, blind threads in saidactuator for mating engagement with the threads on the valve stem, and ashoulder on said actuator extending over said sleeve, whereby uponrotation of said actuator in one direction, the shoulder engages thesleeve to lock the valve in closed position and upon rotation in theother direction, the actuator is moved away from the shoulder to freethe valve for movement by the actuator against the biasing of thespring.

20. A valve mechanism as defined in claim 19 in which the spring meanscomprises a coil spring encircling said valve stem within said sleeveand engaging said body and said actuator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,037,680 Spitzenberg Sept. 3, 1912 1,083,532 Grayham Jan. 6, 19141,759,998 Platt May 27, 1930 1,904,041 Evans Apr. 18, 1933 1,941,751Lupo Jan. 2, 1934 1,941,898 Iddings Jan. 2, 1934 1,961,371 Mapes June 5,1934 2,376,052 Hacmac May 15, 1945 2,445,130 Turner July 13, 19482,452,215 Williams Oct. 26, 1948 2,529,808 Martin Nov. 14, 19502,549,539 Bown Apr. 17, 1951 2,550,863 Roehr May 1, 1951 2,558,272Rubenstein June 26, 1951 2,565,954 Dey Aug. 28, 1951 2,575,180 Lurz Nov.13, 1951 2,655,480 Spitzer Oct. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 251,163 GemanySept. 28, 1912

